AntarcticaBy Charlie Tasker

Map

Amery ice shelf62620 km2

Halley research station

Rothera research station

Australia claims

Norwegian claims

Pacific ocean

Ross sea

http://www.worldatlascom/webimage/countrys/polar/anaroutl.gif

Working in IsolationIf I had to work in isolation, I would find it quite

hard, be very homesick, miss all my friends and family. However, I guess after time I

would get used to having to use email and other social media to stay in contact with them all. Nevertheless, I think it would be fun living

in Antarctica, even though it would be very dangerous because of all the melting snow, ice

and sub-zero temperatures. Still it would be awesome to see all the cool wildlife everyday.

Antarctic TreatyThe Antarctic treaty is an agreement between twelve countries that was formed in 1959 and was enforced in 1961. It governs the people who are temporarily there and the countries who claim parts Antarctica. Another fifteen countries are wanting to claim a part but will not be able to until the present treaty date has expired. It also helps the countries to preserve Antarctica’s environment and protect the animals that live there.

Douglas Mawson Sir Douglas Mawson was born on the 5th of May 1822 in Yorkshire. When he was only two years of age he moved to Australia with his family and went

to school here and then university in Sydney and got a masters in geography. In 1907 he acted as geologist on Shackleton’s British Antarctic

expedition where he climbed Mt Erebus which is Antarctica’s only active volcano and got to the south pole. Then in 1911 he was the leader of the Australia Antarctic expedition for King George the 5th on the ship Aurora.

He set up scientific research bases that would discover new things at Cape Denison in Macquarie Island and at Queen Mary Island. Douglas was the first person to use a radio in Antarctica. In 1912 he had set up the main

bases at Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay and then his expedition left. Then in 1913 he collected information on Antarctica's geology , biology ,

meteorology , magnetism and oceanography when he was sailing 3000 km around Antarctica’s coastline. In 1958 Sir Douglas Mawson died at the age

of 76.

Human Impacts We all are impacting on Antarctica’s food chain. The krill is disappearing quickly because of the rising temperatures that us as humans are causing by using so much power. The krill is the whales’ main food source. Our excess power usage is burning a hole in the ozone layer that is causing the suns rays coming down at a extreme rate. Which is making the water became hotter and hotter which is impacting on the Antarctic food chain. It’s impacting all around the world but, Antarctica’s animals are used to the sub-zero temperatures. This is killing them and not letting them breed safely. The young and the adult animals are having a hard time finding food in the harsh change in climate. Which we call Global Warming.

Did you know

That the highest mountain in Antarctica

is Vinson Massif. In Antarctica in summer

it is always dark.

That Douglas Mawson was the first person to

use a radio in Antarctica The whale’s main food

source is krill.

Extra Extra Read All About ItAntarctica’s wildlife is disappearing so quickly there most likely won’t be any left in 2041 if we don’t do something soon. One amazing animal that is disappearing is whales. These stunning creatures are constantly under the threat of commercial whaling. Commercial whaling is the practice of killing whales for their meat and/or selling their body parts for thousands on the black market. Happily the International Whaling Commission banned commercial whaling in 1986. Sadly Iceland , Norway and Japan continue to hunt whales, justifying their actions by saying they use them for scientific research. However, they still eat them, not as much as they did before, but they are bringing in more then ever! This means they throw the excess meat away. So the whales are killed out pointlessly. Tragically they don’t kill them quickly, because the first shot doesn’t usually kill them straight away, so they are in pain for a long time. Often whalers keep the whales air hole underwater for a long time so they drown. Those whales who get caught die so inhumanly it’s hard to call the people who kill the beautiful creatures human. Whales should be safe in our ocean! Whaling needs to stop if we want our kids to enjoy eating fish and chips watching whales breech. Whales should enjoy being free and happy not worrying that they may die a tragic and painful death . Antarctica is a great place for whales but , if our generation doesn’t do something soon, then whales like so many other animals will become extinct .

Post card Dear mum, I’m loving it in Antarctica it’s so much fun the weather is so

cold but, it makes it all worth it when you see the wildlife. I have learnt that

krill is the whales main food source and that penguins huddle together when it’s cold. Here’s a photo of

what I wake up to most mornings, are you envious of me? I would be! I

must admit that I’m starting to hate baked beans and I miss your cooking

so so much. I found out when we saw MT Vinson is Antarctica’s highest

mountain and that in summer it’s always dark and I also found out that that if our body temp’s get under 35 degrees we can get hypothermia. I hope everybody is well , tell them I

love them all. Love Charlie

Post card

Hypothermia Hypoyhermia is when

there is a body temperature below 35 degrees. You can tell when somebody has

hypothermia if they are shivering non-stop and feels freezing but, you

should get first aid by a professionals but, if their temperature falls to 34 it

can became very dangerous and can

result in dying. So in Antarctica your life is at greater risk so I would

take all the things beside.

• -35 degree sleeping bag• Inflatable thermo mattress • Long ski pants ( 5 )• -25 ski jacket

• Hiking boots with studs • Trekking poles

• Radio with spare batteries• Torch with spare batteries• Thermo underwear • Thermo socks• Long shirts• Tent • Axe

• Matches and/or lighter• Thermo and waterproof gloves